Latest news with #CrowdsonDemand
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Major rejection: Advocacy group turns down $20 million offer to organize anti-Trump protests; calls it 'ineffective'
Adam Swart (Image: Crowds on Demand official website) The CEO of an advocacy group revealed that his organization declined an offer reportedly worth around $20 million to help organize a national protest against US President Donald Trump . Adam Swart, the founder and CEO of Crowds on Demand, said in an interview on Tuesday that groups associated with the 'July 17th Movement' had approached them for support, as reported by Fox News. 'Interests aligned with the organizers of the July 17th movement have approached us and, in fact, we rejected an offer that probably is worth around $20 million,' Swart said. The protests, scheduled for Thursday, are being led by Good Trouble Lives On, a group that describes itself as a peaceful, nonviolent protest organization focusing on social change. The group aims to demonstrate against Trump and what it describes as "the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations" on its official website. The date also marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Representative John Lewis, a prominent civil rights activist, who often referred to peaceful protests as creating "good trouble." Swart explained that his company which specializes in providing crowds for events and demonstrations declined the offer because they believed the protests would not be impactful. "I mean this is a nationwide thing, right? It's not to say I would have made 20 million dollars personally, but the value of the contract would have been worth around that amount nationwide to organize huge demonstrations around the country," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia melirik jet tempur J-10 milik China. Mengapa para pakar memperingatkan untuk hati-hati? CNA Indonesia Baca Undo "But personally, I just don't think it's effective," Swart added. 'I'm not trying to seem virtuous by turning it down, I just believe it would be ineffective and make everyone involved look bad.' Responding to reports about the rejected offer, Harrison Fields, special assistant to President Trump and principal deputy press secretary, issued a statement. 'President Trump's America is so successful that blue-haired basement dwellers are paid to stage fake protests against the administration's remarkable achievements,' Fields said. 'Paid agitators should find real jobs instead of selling out for gift cards and meager paychecks that aim to divide the nation and obstruct America's greatest comeback. Nothing screams a party in disarray more than one that clearly lacks organic support and is forced to astroturf everything. ' Recent incidents involving left-wing protests including violent demonstrations in Los Angeles, where American flags were burned and police officers assaulted, as well as the 'No Kings Day' rallies held across the country have come into limelight.
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
'Red flags' expose paid agitators in violent anti-ICE riots, CEO says
As tensions rise about who is behind the violent anti-ICE riots, a California-based company that specializes in providing on-demand crowds for protests says there are indicators to spot the difference between hired demonstrators and normal crowds. "We receive inquiries regarding practically every major social cause imaginable, and the anti-ICE demonstrations are no exception," Adam Swart, the CEO and founder of Crowds on Demand, told Fox News Digital. "The fact that we receive requests does not mean we take them, in many cases because the budget does not match the ambition." Swart added that they have received "numerous high budget requests" regarding the anti-ICE demonstrations, but declined those offers due to the fact "that they do not want to get close to any form of illegal activity, including violence, vandalism or blocking off roads without a permit." Swart, who started Crowds on Demand in 2012 when he was a student at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to "change how advocacy is done," shared how they support causes and how to spot if these protests are tied to other companies and organizations. Swart said one way to know the difference between his crowd and those who are hired by other companies is if those "paid protest teams are kept on standby." "These groups deploy protesters within minutes using geolocation tools and encrypted chats," Swart said. He added that "only compensated activists move that fast." "Now what you're seeing from the agitators should not be logged in with the broader protest movement, and that is because there is a group of agitators who attach themselves to every cause and use that cause as an excuse to loot, to be violent, and to create disruption," Swart said. "They do not care about those causes, they merely care about looting and destruction. These are pirates. These are psychopaths, and their behavior should not be tolerated, and their actions should not be used to delegitimize peaceful demonstrators." Swart said that some of these groups have informants inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Activist groups are (likely) receiving tipoffs about ICE raid locations, allowing them to stage protests before law enforcement even arrives," Swart shared. "I strongly believe that there are ICE informants who are providing information to demonstrators about the locations of the raids. The reason why I believe that is that there were hundreds of demonstrators that showed up with just a few minutes' notice at the locations of the raids. That is difficult to do," he continued. Swart said this is all speculation on his part, and he has no specific information on how the riots might be funded. "While I don't have direct information that the protesters are being paid, I strongly believe that many of the protesters are being compensated," he explained. "How do I know this? Because when you can gather hundreds of people at the wee hours of the morning or the late hours of night with zero notice with just a text message within a 10-minute period, that sounds a lot more like a rapid reaction force than a group of passionate demonstrators." Swart said to also look out for legal payouts that are "disguised as support." "Instead of direct cash payments, groups offer expensive legal defense packages and luxury accommodations as a workaround – compensating illegal action without ever calling it that," Swart explained. Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters. "Expect to see protest leaders put up in boutique hotels 'awaiting trial.' It's a tactic increasingly used to reward aggressive participants without raising legal red flags," he explained. "It is perfectly acceptable for people to express concern regarding ICE activities and regarding the Trump administration's border policies and immigration policies, but any form of violence, blocking off streets, and vandalism is not only illegal and not only disruptive, but it actually undermines the very cause that they are seeking to promote," Swart said. Swart said the most important factor to determine whether these rioters are being funded is the use of tactical gear. "Another tip that these guys are funded is the fact that they have tactical gear. Tactical gear is extremely expensive and the fact they're passing out hundreds of tactical gear uniforms is an indication that there's some money. Who is funding these groups?" Swart questioned. "The only reason you need tactical gear is if you're purposefully going into a situation where you're trying to create a riot," he added. Swart said the fact that they are able to pass out expensive tactical gear at a moment's notice is a clear sign that something is off. "We need to look at the entire paper trail. I want to know who is paying for the tactical gear. Who is paying for the Molotov cocktails? And go back from there," he said. "Because when you look into that from a crime perspective, you can understand very quickly whether there is any foreign country involved or whether there's a billionaire involved or whoever. And we need to move very quickly to understand who are the forces that are trying to undermine this country." Swart said that what these violent protests are doing is turning people away from the cause and deterring the public from wanting to support their mission. "Blocking streets is not the way you do that, you know? The way you do that is respectful advocacy, communication, and it's hard to say Trump is the agent of chaos when it's people who are on your side who are throwing Molotov cocktails, blocking streets and preventing access for single moms getting to work to pick up their kids. That doesn't sound like liberal values to me," Swart said. With their positions in power, Swart urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass to get in front of the mess and restore law and order. "If you arrest people for violence, but then they're put back on the street in two hours, they will continue violence. If the ultimate penalty for violent offenders is some sort of diversion program with a few-hundred-dollar fine, then there will be more violence," Swart explained. "So the reality is, until you increase the penalties for violence, until you have mass arrests, then nothing will change in the state of California." "Gavin Newsom knows what people want. He just doesn't think they deserve it. He's kind of like this symbol of what's wrong with the Democratic Party, because he preaches a lot, but he never practices," Swart said. "He never practices anything he preaches, and it's really a sad state of affairs that he has left it (California) in." Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., launched an investigation into a left-wing group in California that he says may be financially supporting violent protests in Los Angeles. Swart said an investigation is absolutely necessary, because the rioters are most likely being funded by someone. Hawley wrote a letter to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) last week, saying the organization may have an "alleged role in financially and materially supporting" protests and riots in Los Angeles, which he described as "coordinated." "Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn't spontaneous. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Terrorism, I'm launching an investigation to find out," Hawley said in a post on X. The letter, addressed to CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas, notes that "credible reporting" has indicated that the organization has provided "logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions." "Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct. Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding or promotion of these unlawful activities," Hawley wrote in the letter. CHIRLA did not respond to a request for comment. Hawley told Fox News Digital that the Senate committee was sending out several letters to a number of organizations in question. Swart added that what is concerning to him in all this is why these "very wealthy billionaires" are allegedly funding the riots in LA. "There are a lot of wealthy left-wing billionaires that are funding it, and their motives are uncertain, which is why I think that it has to be in coordination with hostile foreign regimes, because there's no benefit to creating chaos on the streets for this country," Swart shared. "You have to look at what if they have a financial motive, or they have a sort of foreign corrupt motive, right? Because these foreign countries are always seeking to undermine our system." "There has to be a clear separation between funding peaceful advocacy and funding violent agitation, and we need to find very quickly who is behind the violent agitation," Swart said. ICE did not respond to a request for comment. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump fans targets Crowds on Demand for alleged role in anti-ICE protests despite MAGA-friendly CEO's denials
Donald Trump have taken to social media to allege that a company called Crowds on Demand has been supplying paid protesters to the anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles and Saturday's nationwide 'No Kings' marches to bolster their numbers. However, CEO Adam Swart has been busily making the rounds of MAGA-aligned media outlets to correct the false narrative around the 'paid protest industry.' Right-wingers on X have insisted, without evidence, that the numbers turning out to oppose ICE and President Trump are routinely bolstered by hired operatives supplied by Swart's company. Crowds on Demand is 'currently fielding high demands for the anti-ICE show,' one user confidently asserted last week. At the same time, another jokingly congratulated a liberal celebrating the 'No Kings' turnout by saying the company 'really came thru for you guys.' Others have breezily suggested its activities are bankrolled by billionaire George Soros, a favorite all-purpose bogeyman of the right. However, the official website for Crowds on Demand, founded by Swart in October 2012, promises only 'impactful advocacy campaigns, demonstrations, PR stunts, crowds for hire and corporate events.' It elaborates: 'We are best known for organizing passionate demonstrations, rallies, flash-mobs, corporate PR events, and light-hearted events such as paparazzi, brand ambassadors, and PR stunts.' Attempting to combat the misinformation, Swart appeared on One America News Network (OANN) last week and said flatly: 'The fact is that we are not involved. 'Of course we get contacted in regards to practically every social movement out there but that doesn't mean we take on these types [of assignments].' He said Crowds on Demand had not sent any activists-for-hire to Los Angeles 'because it involves illegal activity and we do not engage in any form of illegal activity – of course, no violence, no vandalism, and no blocking streets without a permit.' 'I want to completely disassociate myself and Crowds on Demand with what you see going on,' Swart continued, adding that scenes of demonstrators confronting law enforcement were 'more like guerrilla warfare than protest.' Pushed by OANN anchor Dan Ball to say who he believed was 'funding' the demonstrations, Swart evaded the question, saying only that, in his opinion, the participants were nihilistic 'psychopaths' bent on sowing anarchy. Swart has also appeared on podcasts hosted by Newsmax presenter Greg Kelly and boxer David Nino Rodriguez, as well as local radio, to make the same points about this month's clashes in California, and has previously appeared on Fox News and NewsNation. He appears to have an unlikely ally in Elon Musk 's artificial intelligence tool Grok, which recently debunked attacks on his company by ruling: 'The claim that liberals are paid to march lacks credible evidence of a widespread conspiracy. 'Paid protesting exists, with services like Crowds on Demand hired by various groups, including for liberal causes, but it's not exclusive to liberals. 'Most protests, like the 2017 Women's March, appear grassroots, driven by genuine sentiment. The claim is often used rhetorically to discredit protests without solid proof. While some paid participation occurs, no systematic evidence supports the conspiracy.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-ICE riot funding investigated after ‘numerous high budget requests' for paid agitators were reported
An investigation is underway into who is funding anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots disrupting Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities after a major company revealed it had received requests for help. Crowds on Demand, a California-based company that specializes in providing on-demand crowds for protests, told Fox News Digital it received "numerous high budget requests" to get involved with the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and other cities but declined to participate. A company spokesperson said it declined to get involved in what is happening in Los Angeles because it did "not want to get close to any form of illegal activity, including violence, vandalism or blocking off roads without a permit." "We receive inquiries regarding practically every major social cause imaginable, and the anti-ICE demonstrations are no exception," the company said. "The fact that we receive requests does not mean we take them, in many cases, because the budget does not match the ambition." Senator Launches Investigation Into Democratic Org Over Potential Support For La Rioters The company added it only takes on "impactful commonsense causes both for liberals and conservatives, but always represent(s) the commonsense position." Read On The Fox News App "Even organizing peaceful demonstrators around this issue (anti-ICE) could put those demonstrators at risk due to the presence of violent agitators and the difficulty for law enforcement in distinguishing between peaceful and violent activists," the company said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said anyone found to be abusing the law will be held accountable. "We're not here to negotiate with criminals. Break the law, attack our agents — you will be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable. No exceptions," the agency vowed in a statement on X. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., the chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, shared that the committee is sending letters to multiple organizations believed to be behind the funding. One of the organizations called into questioning by Hawley and Republican California Rep. Kevin Kiley is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, an advocacy group believed to be at the center of the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. "Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn't spontaneous. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Terrorism, I'm launching an investigation to find out," Hawley posted in a statement on X. Fbi Will Investigate 'Any Evidence Of A Criminal Conspiracy' In La Riots Hawley's letter noted that "credible reporting" has indicated the organization has provided "logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions," referring to the Los Angeles riots. "Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct. Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding or promotion of these unlawful activities," Hawley wrote. Kiley also questioned who was behind the funding for the rioters and suggested that California Gov. Gavin Newsom's motive may be a conflict of interest. "The 'nonprofit' behind the LA riots donated almost $500,000 to support Newsom's campaign. It then received $34 million in state funding. I'm sure this is all a coincidence," Kiley wrote in a post on X. Kiley also shared with Fox News Digital that CHIRLA has reportedly also sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE in the past. Crowds On Demand Has Received Over 100 'Lucrative' Anti-israel Requests Since Oct 7 "The NGO known as CHIRLA was centrally involved in the LA riots. The organization, which has previously sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE, alerted the rioters to where ICE operations were occurring in real time. The agitators would then show up and disrupt ICE activities, including through the use of violence," Kiley said. "This group is a major campaign contributor to Gavin Newsom and has received $34 million in state funding. An investigation is absolutely appropriate and necessary." IRS records obtained by Fox News show CHIRLA has received $34 million in government grants, including three from former President Joe Biden's administration for $750,000. The Million Voter Project, which received a portion of these funds and opposed Newsom's recall, has also supported anti-ICE protests, according to records. It is not clear whether either group funded any protest activity, and there is no evidence that they supported rioting. "It is absolutely absurd that either myself or the governor would be supportive in any way, shape or form to the vandalism and the violence that has taken place in our city," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told CNN in an interview Tuesday. "I have been abundantly clear that what is happening on our streets is unacceptable. Looting is criminal behavior. People will be arrested and prosecuted. I don't believe anybody who vandalizes the city supports immigrants." Bass' office told Fox News Digital she also set a curfew in downtown Los Angeles to "curb bad actors who do not support the immigrant community." "Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted," Bass vowed. Fox News Digital reached out to CHIRLA and Newsom's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Original article source: Anti-ICE riot funding investigated after 'numerous high budget requests' for paid agitators were reported
